Pip-Vocals
Nate-Guitar
Brian-Keyboards Chris-Bass
Paul-Drums
Photos by Derek Kouyoumjian
Sounds Like
Discography
Book of Lies (2008)
"Book of Lies makes for a rather affecting listen...the results are often jaw-dropping
and goose bump inducing" Skyscraper
"The Blizzard of 78 capture their signature rock 'n' soul sound perfectly, which is what makes them one of the most original bands in Boston"
75 or Less
"The quintet continues to deliver the rock on their sophomore effort...Book incorporates a few mellow numbers with the big hooks and midtempo, soulful rock gems" The Phoenix
"Pip's impressionistic, often epigrammatic, lyrics are frequently fascinating" Patriot Ledger
"For all of the album's emotional and spiritual depth, it still rocks plenty hard" Boston Music Spotlight
Where All Life Hangs (2006)
"A dozen emotionally resonant tunes, delicately and tastefully assembled a la Coldplay or Damien Rice, with flourishes of Badfinger" The Phoenix
"Good pop trembling on the edge of greatness" Amplifier Magazine
"A real-deal record with atmosphere, scene and outstanding performance on all fronts" Northeast Performer
"One of the best discs of the year"
The Noise
Silicone on Sapphire with Mikey Dread (2007 Digital Single)
A cover of the Clash's "Silicone on Sapphire" featuring original Clash producer and contributer Mikey Dread. Available as a single and on the Joe Strummer tribute album "The Sandinista Project."
Pop Gems, crushing rockers, soul infused rave-ups, complemented by smoldering mid-tempo numbers, are the makeup of Book of Lies. It's the second album from Boston, MA and Providence, RI quintet The Blizzard of 78.
From the triumphant charge of "The Song" to the breathtaking crescendo of "Well Enough Alone," Book of Lies plays like a jukebox at your favorite dive bar. It sits comfortably next to the bands of today like My Morning Jacket, Wilco and Nick Cave, or with the classics of yesterday like The Who, Stones and CCR.
The Blizzard of 78's barn burning live shows provided the seed for this riveting vocal and instrumental performance. Lyrically, singer Pip delivers lines about spiritual conflict, reflections on social climate, and what it means to be human. The band leaves it's own mark musically with searing guitars, lasting keyboards, and driving drum and bass rhythms.
Book of Lies was produced, recorded and mixed by band members Chris Cugini and Nate Leavitt at their own Appleman Studio. The recording vividly captures the raw energy of the band with clarity and direction. Guest musicians include former TBO78 Keyboardist Phil Aiken, Cellist Matt Everett(brother of Pip) and Background Vocalists Dave Aaronoff and Fran Betlyon. Also involved were the Eli "Paperboy" Reed horn section featuring Saxophonists Ben Jaffe and Paul Jones, with Patriq Moody on Trumpet.
Biography
The Blizzard of 78 were formed in 2002 from members of the Boston, MA/Providence, RI group Delta Clutch. Lead singer Pip,(Coat of Arms, Plan 9) Bassist/Guitarist Chris Cugini,(Anastasia Screamed) Guitarist/Bassist Nate Leavitt and Drummer Paul Myers have remained intact as the original members. The group added keyboardist Brian Syrjala in 2003 after the departure of Phil Aiken(Buffalo Tom).
The group released their first full length album as the Blizzard of 78 in June of 2006. Entitled "Where All Life Hangs" the band embraced their melancholic side featuring 2 songs from the 2004 EP which was produced by Paul Kolderie (Radiohead, The Dresden Dolls). Bob Gulla of the Providence Phoenix described the album as "a dozen emotionally resonant tunes, delicately and tastefully assembled a la Coldplay or Damien Rice, with flourishes of Badfinger." "Where All Life Hangs is good pop trembling on the edge of greatness" says Brian Baker of Amplifier Magazine and C.D. Di Guardia of the Northeast Performer said "it is a real-deal record with atmosphere, scene and outstanding performance on all fronts." The album, as well as singer Pip, have won numerous awards including Motif Magazines Album of the Year and The Phoenix's Vocalist of the Year.
Live, the band is well known for their emotionally driven sets. Creating their own style called supercharged soul. Lead singer Pip, summons the likeness of James Brown or Van Morrison. The rest of the bands impressive musicianship demands your attention with presence and chemistry not unlike The Who or The Stones. This dynamic combination has landed them opening slots for Coldplay, Snow Patrol, Guster, The Long Winters and Throwing Muses to name a few.
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